FC Barcelona shall be aiming to return to profitable methods after they face off towards Borussia Dortmund in Matchweek six of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League.
Having been held to a 2-2 draw by Actual Betis in La Liga, Hansi Flick’s males shall be wanting to bounce again and take one other step in the direction of the Spherical of 16 in Europe’s premier competitors.
The Blaugrana are at present third within the Champions League desk, with 12 factors from 5 video games, positioned nicely by way of qualifying for the knockout levels instantly.
A frightening problem awaits Barcelona away at Sign Iduna Park tomorrow evening, and goalkeeper Inaki Pena, who appeared on the press convention with Flick, opened up on what it looks like enjoying at Dortmund’s iconic residence stadium.
“Clearly if you develop up, your dream is to play this type of recreation. In a stadium like Dortmund’s, towards an incredible group and we should give 100% to win tomorrow,” mentioned Pena.
“We’re tremendous psyched, after the sport towards Betis we talked about what we needed to do to win.”
Pena has been trusted by Flick to turn into Barcelona’s most well-liked goalkeeper within the absence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen though the membership signed Wojciech Szczesny as an possibility.
Discussing what it meant for him to have the supervisor’s confidence, the La Masia product mentioned: “On a psychological degree I’m the identical, however the whole lot provides up and above all should you play matches you acquire confidence.
“After I first got here into the objective, my first outcomes had been optimistic. I’m very grateful to Flick for the boldness he has proven in me.”
Speaking about what has modified for him personally since final season and if there have been any enhancements made, Pena remarked:
“‘Properly, not a lot has modified. Final 12 months the leads to the Tremendous Cup remaining damage us, the season was powerful for the group and when it was my flip to play it was the decisive a part of the season, however final 12 months I don’t even keep in mind.
“On a private degree, I’m doing very nicely, it’s vital to play matches with continuity and I believe you’ll be able to see that.”
Barça have been going by means of considerably of a hunch over the previous few weeks, amassing simply 5 factors from their 5 La Liga matches. However Pena downplayed the scenario, saying:
“In the long run all groups have ups and downs, no group in historical past has ever gained each recreation. October was spectacular and in the long run, we all know what we’ve got executed to be good, and that offers us energy for the longer term.
“Once you’ve proved one thing you realize you are able to do it. Tomorrow we’ve got to present 100%.”
On what he thinks Barcelona must do tomorrow to beat Dortmund, Pena replied: “The coach has instructed us that we’ve got to return to what made us unstoppable.
“On a private degree about tomorrow’s recreation, we all know what we’ve got to do and what we don’t need to do. We have now to present 100%, management the sport and be decisive within the penalty space.”
Prepared to present his 100%. (Photograph by Angel Martinez/Getty Photographs)
On being requested if tomorrow’s match shall be a particular one for him, the goalkeeper responded by saying:
“I don’t exit on the pitch to point out my private degree. In the long run, serving to your group is what I do each recreation, being at a membership like Barça requires you to be at 100% each three days.
“It’s true that it’s a particular recreation and profitable would carry us nearer to our goal, that’s what we’ve got to do.”
When requested to elaborate on how he prepares and faces such vital video games, the academy product replied:
“Expertise offers you an emotional increase. Being steady, {that a} defeat doesn’t make you modify what it’s best to do and {that a} win doesn’t make you’re feeling higher. You’re nearly as good in victory as you’re in defeat. Consider in your self and assert your self.”
Rather a lot has been spoken about Barcelona’s excessive defensive position ways this season beneath Flick and the way it has confirmed to be advantageous. When requested for his ideas on the system, Pena remarked:
“Barça have all the time had the thought of defending within the opposition half. We had been stunned by the exaggerated thought they [Flick and his staff] had. It was a course of that we needed to combine in pre-season.
“It’s not simply one thing for the goalkeeper and the defence, but additionally for the midfielders and forwards, who need to press ahead in such a dangerous methodology.”
Persevering with, he added: “On a private degree, when the ball is additional away out of your objective the higher, it’s one thing that little by little you turn into satisfied that it’s higher for you.”
Concluding, Pena commented on his captain Ter Stegen and the way he has grown into the function of the first-choice within the German’s absence, saying:
“Properly, it’s true that I’ve been coaching with him for a few years. Everybody has their very own type, you be taught as a lot as you’ll be able to and also you enhance from all of your teammates.
“In the long run, you all the time need to see the place you’ll be able to enhance. In the event you do job you can be praised.”
Supply: Mundo Deportivo